If you've ever thought that being green is a complete waste of time, the SolarAid might change your mind. The SolarAid is a hearing aid created to make low-cost hearing aids for people in impoverished regions. Godisa Technolgies, a Botswana company, designed and built this eco-friendly little device that sells for less than $100.

As much as many of us hate to admit, money is important to us and it helps motivate us to do things that we would otherwise not normally do. A garbage-man, for example, very likely didn't pick his career out of the desire to keep the streets clean. He needed a job to make money. What does money do? Money helps us pay our bills. It helps keep roofs over our heads and food on our tables. It gives us luxuries we would not normally have without it and, in a materialistic way, money really does make us happier people. So why not pay money to motivate us to recycle more?

This holiday season, when you look at your reflection do you see Ebenezer Scrooge staring back at you? Chances are your probably aren't a Scrooge, but the holidays can sometimes really bring out the "Buhumbug!" in you. Greed, work, family, commercialized holidays, lack of time, wrapping paper and dead trees adding to the landfills...whatever your stressors are, they have you upset and you are just not in the mood to celebrate the holidays this year. Traditions and family are a wonderful part of your life, but sometimes a change can be a good thing too and you need a change. You need to go somewhere where you can get a way and relax for awhile. Lucky for you, the Ghost of Green is here to lead the way.

Star on StakeIf you love decorating for the holidays, but would like to decorate a little more green this year, solar decorations are an option. Eco-friendly wreathes, icicles, stars, snowmen, santas, globes and even string lights are all available and ready to light up your home and garden. You won't have to mess with wires and in the long run, you will save money on your electric bill.

How do you get a garden from a soap box (yes, I am talking about the box your soap comes in)?

By soaking one of Pangea Organics' (an organic skincare line) biodegradable and plantable soap boxes in water for about a minute. Then plant the box in the dirt about 1 inch deep. The box will begin to decompose and within a few days you will see it grow into a flowering Amaranth. read more »

Insulation PaintFinally, there is an easier and cheaper way to insulate your home. How? It's called insulation paint and it isn't a new idea. For years it has been used commercially, but that is quickly changing as it is marketed to the public. It is becoming more of a popular product to use in residential homes as another source to save energy and help reduce heating and cooling costs.

RecyDo you ever wonder what we will be driving in the future? What we will use to fuel our cars? Will we still be using gasoline or is there hope for something cheaper, better, and more environmentally friendly?

Yes! There are alternatives and today we can already use some of them. Electricity, solar energy, and even algae are just a few of the many options. The green doesn't just stop at the fuel tank either. Even the exteriors of vehicles are getting green makeovers. Take a look at my list below and see what I mean. read more »

If you like Halloween and you love to decorate for the occasion, now you have the chance to add a little more green to your spooky garden decor using solar energy. Below are a few solar products to liven up your Halloween nights. read more »

Bottlecap Loteria BraceletIf you like jewelry, art, and recycling, then you should take a look at the treasures I’ve found. Very creative people have come up with very innovative ways to turn discarded items into decorative jewelry. Are they alluring? It depends on your point of view, but if nothing else, at least they are environmentally friendly. read more »

The Soccer PlayerIf you have a weak stomach, turn away. This subject is about to go beyond the common life saving practice of donating human organs to those in need. Today you can donate your body too, not to save a life, but to be placed on display in a museum.

New Mona LisaWhat is it about Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa that makes people want to create her image over and over again? Why is it so intriguing? Maybe it’s that enigmatic smile she wears or the facial hair she lacks, such as the missing eyebrows.

Book Purse In my last article, I introduced you to the world of inspiring chairs and their recycled parts. This time I’d like to show you that inspiration doesn’t always have to be so big and loud. Some times something as simple as a purse can make an impact on our society and the way we think about recycling.

InkukuToday in our environmentally conscious society you can find a chair made out of almost every recyclable material there is: milk cartons, soda bottles, wine barrels, boat wood, used tires and so on, but most of these chairs feel and look ordinary. Now take a look at some of the more unique and unusual chairs I’ve introduced to you below.

Power PurseSolar energy isn’t just for your backyard. You can carry it with you too, wherever you go. Whether you’re traveling to a remote place for business, vacationing on a mountain, shopping nonstop for hours, camping in the wild, visiting family out of town or just walking from class to class on campus, you can power up with solar energy. How? More and more, solar panels are being added to clothing, bags and accessories as people become aware of the value and convenience of solar energy. read more »

Solar GrillDo you like to barbeque? Do you mow your yard? Do you have a fire ant infestation or are the mosquitoes eating you alive? Are you too dirty to go inside? Whether this sounds like you or someone else you know, there is an alternative, cheaper, quieter, and greener way to enjoy your backyard. From mirrored grills that cook your food naturally to chemically-free ant charmers and mosquito repellents, these innovations are all powered by the sun and get the job done. read more »

Blue Planet Composter
Did you know that over 30% of landfill waste could be composted and provide valuable nutrients to plants, but instead the waste is thrown in the trash and sent to landfills? Whether you're an environmentalist, a parent wanting a better world for her children, an avid gardener or just curious, turning waste into compost has become easier for all of us to do. Compost is a mixture of various decaying organic substances, such as dead leaves, cut grass, kitchen scraps or manure, used for fertilizing soil. Many composting products have been made and continue to be improved upon for the kitchen, the restroom as well as the yard. Thanks to these products, composting can be made faster, easier, healthier, smaller cheaper, with NO or little odor. From compost toilets, kitchen scrap bins, to "worm tea" - what was once waste is now nourishing our gardens and our yards.read more »

As a mom, wife, woman, tutor and writer, I am one of the many people always on the look out for any innovation that makes my life easier to manage. I look for products that have more than one function and give me the maximum benefits for my investment. read more »